???Students cited and dispelled commonly held stereotypes about blacks in a meeting held by Black Men United (BMU) last week.
Attendees, lead by Anthony White, a senior African American studies and history major and chairman of BMU, discussed where stereotypes originate, how serious they really are, whether they are true and how they are being perpetuated.
"It's important to explore stereotypes, learn what they're about and make efforts to stop them," said Kevin Southern, a junior political science major.
White cited specific historical backgrounds about where certain stereotypes originated, other members adding their own insight.
One student noted that the stereotype that all black men are comical and good dancers probably originated in the early 1900s, during a time when some black men were strictly exploited for entertainment.
???This type of entertainment included minstrel shows, which featured black actors dressed in black face, purposely exploiting these stereotypes as a means of amusement.
???White also clarified the origins of the stereotype that all black men are good at basketball.
"Although originally dominated by white men, flashier style basketball started getting more press and since white men didn't play that style, black men took over as the dominating race," White said.
After discussing these stereotypes and their origins, attendees spoke on the role of the media as it pertains to them.
Shows like Flavor of Love, rap artist Flavor Flav's popular show on VH1, depict black women in a negative context, showing them lacking manners, dressing inappropriately and not handling business properly, noted one member at the meeting.
Various members agreed on the levels of impropriety that were being set and were appalled at the type of behavior women on television engage in. They stated that while they were not a proper representation of the black race but people would never be able to see that.
"If you demote yourself, you scale our race as a whole back a little," White said. "We're not just [representing] ourselves, we're [representing] the race."
The meeting reached a general consensus that not all stereotypes were bad or offensive, rather it was simply tiring being typecast to certain traits and habits that should not be generalized to the race as a whole.
With the results of the past election still buzzing, members noted what role President-elect Barack Obama played in the media in regards to stereotypes.
"The stereotype that we can't vote or make decisions beyond seeing that Obama is black because we're black is ridiculous," said William Donovan, a senior business administration major.
Donovan mentioned his own frustration with the many people that assume the black race as a whole voted for Obama without considering other candidates.
"He's intelligent, makes sound decisions and will make great changes," Southern said. "My decision wasn't made because he is black."
The meeting concluded with discussing the possibility that stereotypes would never cease as long as even one or two people continue to display them in the limelight.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
